Paul McCartney once wrote, “… There will be an answer, let it be.” I was a curious girl growing up. I always wondered about my future and what was to come. I couldn’t live in the moment. Will I look any different ten years from now? What will I be doing one year from today? Will I still have the same friends in the future? These questions would eat me alive. Something that gave me peace and taught me patience, however, was painting my nails. Such a small activity became a big part of my life. I was able to look at life and not worry about what was to come, but instead savor what already was.
I was easily impressed from a young age and took things as they were. Therefore, I’d settle for the cheap nail polish from the dollar store. It would satisfy me at the time but it would never last– they’d start chipping sooner than later. No problem! If they chipped I’d simply repaint them. Soon, this became a regular occurrence; I’d continue to repaint them to the point where my nails were stained. I grew impatient waiting for the perfect nail polish, one that wouldn’t chip so easily. I realized this was a bad habit of mine– settling for something so damaging. It would get tiresome, really, attempting to fix something for temporary enjoyment. Was the sunny yellow polish worth the dark yellow stains it’d leave behind?
As time went on, I slowly stopped putting effort into how my nails looked. I stopped painting them, never mind caring for them. My life was flying right by me; there were high school activities to plan, career fields to look into and college applications to submit. For as long as I could remember, writing has been my passion. The career fields for writing are vast, the options almost overwhelming. I’ve spent years toying with different careers and even more years ignoring what was to come after high school. However, the passing of time is inevitable; I decided I’d become an editor!
The slow passage of time, and all its unexpectancies, never fails to surprise me. Senior trips, prom, and graduation flew by. Soon enough, I’ll be starting all over again as a freshman in college. With this free time to spare, however, why not pick up an old hobby? Over the course of my life, I’ve matured time and time again. This time around I picked up a bottle of gel nail polish, something I once took for granted, and waited for the nails I neglected for so long to chip. Instead of the temporary enjoyment I was used to, this one lasted much longer. I was no longer anticipating any disappointment because this gel nail polish spoiled me with endless bliss.
I was a curious girl growing up. Even now, there are still so many questions I have left unanswered. However, time and its inevitability have answered some of them for me; one year later I’d be writing for a newspaper I once knew nothing about in order to advance in a career I might’ve been too afraid to pursue at one point. Moreover, my best friends— who through my maturation I’ve learned to never take for granted— will always stay by my side. Time is a funny concept, and yet it has taught me so much. Now, I savor the present instead of worrying about what’s out of my control. I know there will be answers to my questions, so I’ll let it be.
